Franz Ferdinand
(Domino) “It’s always better on holiday,” squalls Franz Ferdinand, so switch off those iPods, turn down the Walkmen, and tune out TV on the Radio. Bursting at the seams with New Romantic optimism cut by post-punk sarcasm, this young Glaswegian quartet’s Domino debut deserves to be on all the afterparty turntables. Song two, “Tell Her Tonight,” positively drips Duran Duran, while “Take Me Out” can’t decide between new Strokes and old U2, but who really wants to? “The Dark of the Matinee” exudes the sort of Blur-meets-Gang of Four elan that only leads to trouble. What sort of trouble? Oh, say, the unapologetic “Cheating on You,” which filters a Young Rascals spark through a decidedly contemporary lens. “You can feel my lips undress your eyes,” offers Teutonic disco riot “Darts of Pleasure,” not long before the jagged “Michael” seals the deal. As a bonus, “Come on Home” melds the Kids in the Hall organ lick with sinister guitar. Welcome to the party. Your only marching orders are, per “This Fire,” to burn this city down. (Thursday, March 18, midnight @ Buffalo Billiards)
This article appears in March 19 • 2004.